Tom Izzo has never been shy about where he stands on the current state of college basketball. The Hall of Fame coach loves coaching - that much is clear.
But the profession? That’s another story.
Over the past few years, he’s voiced growing frustration with the way college athletics have shifted, especially with the rise of NIL, the transfer portal, and now, a new wrinkle: former professional players returning to the college game.
That frustration hit a boiling point earlier this season when Louisville added London Johnson, a guard with three years of G-League experience, just ahead of tip-off. For Izzo, that move symbolized everything he feels is going wrong with the sport - professionals, in their mid-20s, returning to play against college kids still figuring out their game and their lives.
So when news broke Friday that Kyree Walker - a 25-year-old who’s been playing professionally for over four years - was drawing interest from a list of college programs that included Michigan State, eyebrows understandably shot up.
According to a report, Walker’s agent, Chris Diaz, listed a dozen-plus programs that had shown interest in the former G-League guard. Among them: Fresno State, Texas Tech, Louisville, Rutgers, Tennessee, Kansas, Maryland, Florida State, Cal, UTEP, Missouri, Washington - and yes, Michigan State.
Now here’s where things get interesting.
Izzo has made it abundantly clear that he’s not a fan of this new dynamic - one where seasoned pros can suddenly re-enter the college ranks. So the idea that Michigan State would be seriously pursuing a player like Walker doesn’t exactly line up with the coach’s public stance. Especially not when the Spartans are off to a strong 10-1 start and have a roster loaded with talent and experience already in place.
Could there have been a call? A quick inquiry?
Maybe. That’s always possible in today’s fast-moving recruiting landscape.
But the notion that Izzo would be actively recruiting a 25-year-old with multiple years of pro experience - in the middle of a season where his team is already competing at a high level - feels like a stretch. A big one.
Walker, for context, was once a highly touted high school prospect. He was ranked No. 209 in the 2020 class and had interest from schools like Arkansas, Arizona State, and Arizona before opting to go the professional route via the G-League. Since then, he’s bounced around the pro circuit, gaining experience but not exactly lighting up the radar in terms of NBA upside.
Now, with the door to college basketball seemingly wide open again - thanks to evolving eligibility rules and transfer policies - Walker is exploring a return to the NCAA. And he’s not alone. This is becoming a growing trend, and it’s one that coaches like Izzo are clearly not thrilled about.
For programs looking to add a veteran presence or a physical guard with pro seasoning, Walker might be worth a look. But for Michigan State - a program that’s long prided itself on player development, continuity, and a strong locker room culture - the fit just doesn’t add up.
Izzo has always been about building teams, not just collecting talent. And while the college basketball landscape is shifting fast, don’t expect him to suddenly reverse course on one of his core beliefs. The Spartans have their eyes on March, and with the way they’ve started this season, they’ve got every reason to believe they can make some serious noise - with the roster they already have.
So while Walker’s name might be floating around, don’t hold your breath waiting for him to suit up in green and white. This one feels more like agent noise than a real possibility.